Mehsana, March 18 -- As NASA astronaut Sunita Williams and her fellow crew members prepare to return to Earth after spending over nine months aboard the International Space Station (ISS), prayers for her safe journey resonate in Jhulasan, her paternal village in Gujarat's Mehsana district.

"(NASA astronaut) Sunita Williams has come here twice. We all want her to return safely to Earth (from the International Space Station). We are also planning to celebrate...everyone here is excited and praying that she lands safely," said a resident.

Similarly, Dinesh Rawal, Sunita Williams's cousin brother in Gujarat, expressed his happiness and said that she is the pride of the nation.

"Everyone in the family, including her mother, brother and sist...